Walk every escape route and test each final exit door this week. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on the responsible person to keep emergency routes and exits clear at all times, yet stored boxes and deliveries tend to block them gradually. Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 add a specific requirement to check fire doors in communal areas of multi-occupied residential buildings at least quarterly. Log anything you find and fix it straight away, because PAS 79 treats the risk assessment as an ongoing process rather than a one-off document. This is general guidance, not formal legal advice, so book a HawkSwift assessment for your premises.
Quick answers
Q: Do I need to check that my fire exit doors actually open?
Yes. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person must ensure that routes to emergency exits and the exits themselves are kept clear at all times. You should physically check that every final exit door opens properly, as bins, deliveries, and stored boxes can easily block them.
Q: How often do fire doors need to be checked in a block of flats?
Under the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022, responsible persons must check all fire doors in communal areas of multi-occupied residential buildings at least every three months. If you spot a faulty door, you must fix it immediately and log the action.
Q: Is a fire risk assessment a one-off task?
No. PAS 79 guidance reminds us that a fire risk assessment is a living process, not just a dusty binder on a shelf. You must continually review and update it to keep your premises safe and compliant with UK law.
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